Battery Suggestions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
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From: Chico CA
Battery Suggestions
I have read a lot of threads about batteries. A lot of people like the Red Top Optima. I have also read a lot of stuff about the Optimas not being what they originally were, quality wise. I really don't want to put in a wet cell so what options do I have? I've read about Odyssey but they are more expensive than almost everything out there, on the other hand, my 03 AE is worth it if the quality and reliability is there. Your thoughts.....
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
If you've read through the hundreds of past discussions on this very topic, you've probably realized that there is no consensus of opinion. I strongly suspect there won't be any consensus in this thread, either.
Everyone thinks their choice is the best. Most will agree that they don't want to have battery acid dripping onto the computer. That's about the only thing that most agree on.
I've been using OPTIMA batteries prior to the time they were even available to the general public. I've never had one fail. I have one in each of our vehicles except my '07 Silverado. When the oem battery on that needs replacing, it'll get an OPTIMA red top as well.
...it's your car to do with as you please.
Everyone thinks their choice is the best. Most will agree that they don't want to have battery acid dripping onto the computer. That's about the only thing that most agree on.
I've been using OPTIMA batteries prior to the time they were even available to the general public. I've never had one fail. I have one in each of our vehicles except my '07 Silverado. When the oem battery on that needs replacing, it'll get an OPTIMA red top as well.
...it's your car to do with as you please.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
I got mine from COSTCO in June '06. It's a group 75/35 which is top mount and side mount. It only required the slight angling of the battery cables (top mount) in my '04. The cables were long enough and it fits right into the oem tray and uses the oem hold down. There are adapters available through OPTIMA if you opt to use another size.
If you go to the OPTIMA website, you can determine your battery by application. OPTIMA recommends a group 25 for many of the C5/Z06 Corvettes.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/
As far as the 34/78 fitting, I'm not certain. You'd have to compare dimensions. I think in some past discussions, some members have said they used that group size. Maybe it requires the adapter?
Last edited by hotwheels57; Aug 18, 2008 at 05:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
You might also consider some type of float maintenance charger for whatever battery you decide to buy. They'll keep the battery fully charged during periods of non use. The C5/Z06 has lots of electronics (memory) to maintain.
Such devices slowly charge the battery to full capacity, then go into "sleep" mode unless the battery needs to be charged again.
I only have experience with BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25 amp) which is perfect for the OPTIMA battery. They also make other models for other brands of batteries. They have a warranty up to 10 years. I maintain the OPTIMA in my Z16 with this model for winter storage.
CTEK is the latest rage in high tech chargers. It's from Europe and has some features not available to the BATTERY TENDER PLUS. It costs only $10 more. I'm not certain of the warranty. I'll probably consider one of these should my BATTERY TENDER PLUS ever fail me.
Such devices slowly charge the battery to full capacity, then go into "sleep" mode unless the battery needs to be charged again.
I only have experience with BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25 amp) which is perfect for the OPTIMA battery. They also make other models for other brands of batteries. They have a warranty up to 10 years. I maintain the OPTIMA in my Z16 with this model for winter storage.
CTEK is the latest rage in high tech chargers. It's from Europe and has some features not available to the BATTERY TENDER PLUS. It costs only $10 more. I'm not certain of the warranty. I'll probably consider one of these should my BATTERY TENDER PLUS ever fail me.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 215
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I favor the Optima yellow top. It's a deep cycle battery, so if you DO end up draining your battery several times it won't kill the battery. It's great for all of the electronics that these cars have. We just put one in the shop Z06 last week because the factory battery just wouldn't hold charge anymore after being drained 3-4 times from just sitting.
We now have a Battery Tender on it but if the new Optima was to drain it wouldn't hurt the battery.
We now have a Battery Tender on it but if the new Optima was to drain it wouldn't hurt the battery.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Chico CA
I usually use a Battery Tender Plus. I happened to not leave it on a few times and the original battery was down to around 10v. It does take a charge. I just want to be ready in case of failure. I have to start looking for deals on an Optima. Might go with the higher CCA of the 34/78, it is just slightly longer but same width and height of the 75/25. Thanks for all the input.
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Twain Harte CA
Race Director
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From: San Diego CA
Really, the days of the leaky battery are long gone. There is no need to worry about something that will in all likelyhood, never happen. That being said, it is well known that most AGMs do not like to sit for any length of time. This is primarily why AC Delco discontinued its AGM batteries. If you drive your car often or keep a battery tender on it when you don't, you should be happy, but the fact remains that a good non-AGM tolerates periods of inactivity far better than does an AGM. The deep cycle AGMs, such as the Yellow top are better in this regard, but deep cycle batteries on average do last as long as standard batteries if both are charged regularly. You can get 7 years out of a standard battery but few Yellow tops last that long.
I chose the 7 year AC Delco Professional; it comes with a 50-month FREE replacement warranty - better than any other.
I chose the 7 year AC Delco Professional; it comes with a 50-month FREE replacement warranty - better than any other.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
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From: Vancouver Washington
The Optima was the greatest thing since slice bread for a long time, then they went through a period where their quality control slipped badly and they didn't last six months. That period damaged their reputation and they have suffered from that damage ever since. They seemed to have cured the quality control problem now as their current crop of batteries seem to be performing well.
All that said, I run the Odyssey and I'm very happy with them.
All that said, I run the Odyssey and I'm very happy with them.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
I replaced my Delco two years ago with an Exide Orbital AGM battery. The reviews on it were very good, the design seems to be solid,and I've had no problems thus far. I also hook it up to an Deltran BT Plus if it's going to sit more than 10 days without moving.
Check out the Exide Orbital. The price was $129 at NTB.
http://www.exide.com/products/automo...t_orbital.html
Check out the Exide Orbital. The price was $129 at NTB.
http://www.exide.com/products/automo...t_orbital.html
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln Nebraska
My last RedTop died a couple months back (had it for 3 1/2 years) due to me not keeping it fully charged...so it wouldn't charge up fully anymore. I took it back and used the warranty and only paid $60 for a new RedTop. The warranty came in handy, the YellowTop's only have like a year warranty! The Sears Diehard Platinum has a 4 year replacement and an additional 100 month pro rated warranty! It's also a glass mat battery but it's a little on the expensive side at $189
Last edited by warpster; Aug 19, 2008 at 03:14 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln Nebraska
I replaced my Delco two years ago with an Exide Orbital AGM battery. The reviews on it were very good, the design seems to be solid,and I've had no problems thus far. I also hook it up to an Deltran BT Plus if it's going to sit more than 10 days without moving.
Check out the Exide Orbital. The price was $129 at NTB.
http://www.exide.com/products/automo...t_orbital.html
Check out the Exide Orbital. The price was $129 at NTB.
http://www.exide.com/products/automo...t_orbital.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Kinston North Carolina
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I replaced my Delco two years ago with an Exide Orbital AGM battery. The reviews on it were very good, the design seems to be solid,and I've had no problems thus far. I also hook it up to an Deltran BT Plus if it's going to sit more than 10 days without moving.
Check out the Exide Orbital. The price was $129 at NTB.
http://www.exide.com/products/automo...t_orbital.html
Check out the Exide Orbital. The price was $129 at NTB.
http://www.exide.com/products/automo...t_orbital.html
I also went with the Excide Orbital and am very happy with it (and I'm also running a 2 600 watt amps in my stereo set up)I've let my car sit 2-3 weeks before when I have not had time to drive it, and I never even put the Batter Tender on it and it starts up fine everytime. In the winter, when the car sits for a few months, then I put the tender on it.
FWIW my original Delco AGM lasted 6 years and was still going strong when I pulled it out.
I am an Optima hater I'll admit..after reading countless threads here on them failing after sitting just one week, it was a no-brainer for me. ..also having 3 friends with vettes all having poor experience with them too. They are JUNK.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
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From: Chico CA
Best place to get an Orbital? Which model, 75 or 78? My local Batteries Plus has both Optima and Orbital and they have had a high number or Optima returns the past six months. Have had no returns on Orbitals. Their cost on an Orbital 78 is $160.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
The fitment guide on the 2000 C5 calls for a 78 but it seems to vary for other years. Basically the difference in size between the 78 and the 75 is the 78 is 1.125" wider. Check the specs for the right size. See if there's an NTB in your area as I found they had a good price.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 260
From: Westchester County New York
I have read a lot of threads about batteries. A lot of people like the Red Top Optima. I have also read a lot of stuff about the Optimas not being what they originally were, quality wise. I really don't want to put in a wet cell so what options do I have? I've read about Odyssey but they are more expensive than almost everything out there, on the other hand, my 03 AE is worth it if the quality and reliability is there. Your thoughts.....
